Journey to Bulembu: A Pandora’s Box for Monique

For this post, I asked Monique van Haaren to share her story of Bulembu. What makes the Bulembu part of the story so magnificent is the backstory. So, that’s where she starts. Part II will take you on her trip (with me) to Bulembu. I know you’ll be as touched by this story as I continue to be. Monqiue, the floor is yours…

For the first four years of my life there was only silence. Because of significant hearing loss, I heard nothing. I was sent to a school with other children who were deaf or had some hearing loss. Being at this school meant I would learn how to live life without the sounds of life. It also meant being away from my parents and younger sisters except on the weekends. Hearing aids taught me how to maneuver through the daily grind but I never felt like I belonged. I didn’t belong with the other children at the boarding school, and I certainly didn’t belong at home. The silence in my heart was deafening.

I spent many years struggling with depression, and in 1990, I went to a psychiatric hospital for treatment. I lived there four days a week for more than a year. But the problems persisted so much so that I stopped going outside of my home. I was terrified of meeting and talking with people, always feeling like I didn’t belong. The only person who ever really made me feel accepted was the man who became my husband, Rene. We have two beautiful children, 15-year old Glenn and 12-year old Kim. But each day with them meant that they were now locked in the same prison with me, a bedroom with the curtains drawn with no connection to the outside world. Thankfully, my parents were there to help and they cared for Kim for the first year of her life.

The van Haaren's: Rene, Kim, Monique and Glenn

Slowly, I developed the courage to seek ways to leave the house so I decided to volunteer at a place that serves people with mental challenges. My job was to serve coffee and talk with them. While I enjoyed it, I still felt afraid that I didn’t belong.

One year ago, a co-worker gave me a CD of The Canadian Tenors. Not thinking much about it, I took it home and put it in the CD player. I wasn’t really expecting anything. After all, I had never really “heard” music before so why would this be different?

When the music started, I found myself at the kitchen table shaking uncontrollably and weeping. I didn’t know how it was happening but I knew that I could “hear” music for the first time in my life! Suddenly, I heard emotions and feelings, in myself and in the singer’s voices. This is what my therapist calls the opening of Pandora’s box for me! I listened to the CD over and over and every time, it was the same as the first time. I felt determined to find out more about this group, The Canadian Tenors.

Interestingly, I started “meeting” a lot of Tenors fans on Facebook. They all spoke of similar life-altering experiences while listening to their music. Whether their songs helped them through a particularly difficult time in their lives or they felt healing from an emotional wound, souls were being touched in profound ways.

Through these new Facebook friendships, I felt safe. I was still at home, so there was no way for people to reject me. But I also wanted to change things in my life. I didn’t want to live like this anymore. My first thought was to go listen to The Canadian Tenors in a live performance. But the closest place to me here in the Netherlands was a show in London. How could I not go? Yes, I was terrified but I had to go! I ended up meeting so many of the people I had befriended on Facebook. And to my amazement, they all seemed to accept me as I am. I had the chance to meet the Tenors after their performance, which was even more emotional and inspirational than I ever imagined. They were so genuine and interested in ME. They wanted to hear more of my story and made me feel special. For the first time in my life, I felt like I could do so much more!

I went home inspired to learn more about them and to try to figure out a purpose for my own life moving forward. I discovered the charitable work the Tenors were involved with in the town of Bulembu. The stories of the people in Bulembu touched me. I felt a connection with them and understood the struggles they were trying to overcome. My heart was ready to do more.

In exploring ways I could try to help, I had become fast friends with Theresia, who was also becoming more involved with The Canadian Tenors and Bulembu. To start, I translated the Bulembu web site into Dutch so my fellow citizens could learn and understand about the mission in Bulembu. Some of us decided to host a Canadian Tenors Fan Day in Holland and raise money for the benefit of Bulembu. It was all still very safe because I was back in the comfort of my own home. But I knew there would be more, and I knew more meant leaving that comfort zone.

It was September 2010; almost time for the annual Voices for Bulembu concert featuring The Canadian Tenors. Two shows in British Columbia would raise money for the Bulembu charity. Theresia and I began talking about going together in an effort to learn as much as possible so we could both continue to support the charity with our respective talents. And so we made our plans. I flew from Amsterdam to Vancouver by myself to meet a woman I’d never met in person and stay in a town I’d never been to before and to participate in activities and meetings I’d never dreamed of all while speaking a language I hadn’t used much before. Talk about a Pandora’s box!

In the Netherlands, I could always read lips in social settings. Reading lips in my native Dutch is easy. Reading lips in English is altogether different. I had moments of wondering what the heck I was doing but the entire trip was a success for me! I felt that, through The Canadian Tenors, the people in the organization of Bulembu International, and other fans I’d met at this event, I belonged on this earth, and I could be the person God intended me to be!

Back home, I started preparing for the Fan Day event in October, which ultimately raised nearly $4,000. I ended up doing a presentation for the guests at the Fan Day and one for a local school who expressed an interest in supporting the orphans of Bulembu. The tremendous support and encouragement I received gave me a new desire: To go to Bulembu! And that opportunity came along when Scott Campbell asked for a team of people to travel to Bulembu to become voluntourists. It was the opportunity of a lifetime, a trip of a lifetime. I received complete support from my husband and children, and I would make the trip with Theresia.

Monique and Theresia prepare to leave Schipol in Amsterdam for the long flight to Johannesburg and Bulembu.

Journey to Bulembu: Never a Dull Moment

It’s hard to believe I’ll be boarding a plane and heading for the continent of Africa in just nine days. Too much has been happening in my own life to keep me from really enjoying the preparation and anticipation experience. A kitchen renovation that has turned into a nightmare. Serious health issues that have made me doubt whether or not this trip would even take place and kept me in close company with my family physician far more often than I prefer. Snow and major ice storms that left me wondering if I would ever see grass again. And now, so much rain that Indiana is experiencing more flooding. Never a dull moment.

But I’m not the only one never experiencing dull moments. Recent unseasonable rains caused significant flooding in Bulembu earlier this year. Thankfully, there were no injuries or fatalities. But continued progress toward self-sustainability has been delayed somewhat as efforts to aid in repairing damage to buildings, property and infrastructure located in the flooded areas have forced resources to be redirected. Two steps forward… Three steps back. Isn’t that how life seems to happen sometimes?

That’s why we can’t let up in our efforts to support what’s happening in Bulembu. The 2011 Voices for Bulembu campaign has just been announced and once again, The Canadian Tenors will headline the fundraising concert in Vancouver, Saturday, September 17. But we can’t wait until September to start our giving campaign. It needs to continue throughout the year without inhibition. Be encouraged by this update of a previous post about a fundraiser where all proceeds went to Bulembu International.

Angels for Bulembu “Wings of Hope” was the Christmas charity event hosted by Gia Masi Rooker last year. As many as 150 friends, colleagues and celebrities that live in the Cave Creek, Arizona valley came to lend a helping hand, as they do for her yearly charity event. Live music, raffles and donated prizes along with amazing food and holiday decorations, which were featured in the local newspaper, created a warm environment for giving. Gia reports that her charity event raised $20,000 in funds and the company for which she works, CVS Pharmacy, donated children’s vitamins for the orphans of Bulembu.

You don’t have to know celebrities or have loads of money in order to contribute. You can give the gift of one dollar to help one of the children in Bulembu. Gia’s gift is to entertain; she’s got a special knack for it, and she’s an amazing hostess! People love her infectious smile and enjoy teaming up with her to give in big ways. Some of us are more reserved and don’t relish the thought of having a hundred people traipsing through our house, even if it is for a good cause. So, we give in private. It doesn’t matter how you give. I’m sure Gia and the private donor will agree that the gift you receive in return is immeasurably more than the gift you give.

A dear friend recently shared with me: “There are those who give little of the much which they have – and they give it for recognition, and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome. It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding…” (Author unknown)

Facing a dull moment in your life? Not me! And with this trip coming up, I think it’s about to become even more un-dull! Search your heart and ask what you can give. Step out and make one dull moment come to life.

The Canadian Tenors in Bulembu

Voices for Bulembu: Raising Our Voices

On June 21, 2010, fans of the Canadian Tenors launched a fundraiser in support of Voices for Bulembu, the charity organization formed by the Tenors that works in partnership with the Bulembu Foundation. We called it Raise YOUR Voice for Bulembu. Our goal in the fan fundraiser was $2,500 by the time the Tenors reached the stage for their final Voices for Bulembu fundraising concert in 2010 on September 19 in Vancouver. I just received word from Scott Campbell, Director of Development for Bulembu International, that the fans surpassed that goal and raised just under $6,000!

To the fans of the Canadian Tenors: Thank you. You have given from your hearts. You have given because what matters to them matters to you. You didn’t do it seeking recognition for yourselves or a pat on the back. You did it because you knew it would be money well-spent. You wept with the Tenors when they began their journey two years ago and, like them, knew something had to be done. You rejoiced with them two months ago when they returned to Bulembu to see the extraordinary signs of improvement already being made. You believe in the vision of restoring this town to self-sustaining status. Your hearts have melted for the sick and hurting orphans and for the dying generation of Swazi’s who need hope for the next generation.

The task is far from complete and the battle is not yet won. The Voices for Bulembu 2010 campaign is over but the need is not. The Canadian Tenors Fan Day in Holland is next on the agenda where we hope to raise more money to give to the Bulembu Foundation. More stories from Bulembu will (hopefully) fill the pages of these blogs. And your gifts are always welcome.

Our voices don’t have to be silenced because the giving season never ends.

On behalf of the Bulembu Foundation and the Canadian Tenors – Thank you.

 

Canadian Tenors Voices for Bulembu

 

Canadian Tenors Fan Day

The Canadian Tenors are currently wowing audiences on their US tour; the Voices for Bulembu fundraising concerts fading quickly in the rear view mirror. But that doesn’t mean they have forgotten about Bulembu or its citizens. Neither have Tenors fans, especially the ones in the Netherlands.

Too many of them said they were not willing to sit idly by and do nothing when it came to lending their support to the Canadian Tenors and the Bulembu Foundation.  So far as we know, only one Dutch fan made the trek to the Voices for Bulembu concerts in Vancouver. That was one way to lend support. The others, in the meantime, will be showing their support by attending the first ever Canadian Tenors Fan Day, which will be held in Almere, Holland on Saturday, October 23. Oh, the one that made the trip to Canada will be there, too. She’s hard core when it comes to being a fan and supporting the Bulmebu Foundation.

The idea for the Fan Day came from Corry Puts, an entrepreneur who was so touched by the music of the Canadian Tenors that she wanted to show her gratitude by giving back to something that means so much to them. Knowing the heart and soul Clifton, Fraser, Remigio and Victor have poured into Bulembu, Corry decided to host a Fan Day celebration to honor their work and to give the proceeds from that day to the Bulembu Foundation in their name.

The event will be held at Het Plein from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. where there will be music, drinks, food, silent auction items, games and so much more. We even have a few special surprises up our sleeves, so you won’t want to miss a minute of this event! The cost is $55 Euros. Special Canadian Tenors Voices for Bulembu wristbands have been made and will soon be made available for purchase.

The Canadian Tenors raised $1.25 million (CAD) during their Voices for Bulembu concerts. Let’s add handsomely to that total during this Canadian Tenors Fan Day. Join us! Let’s celebrate what’s already happening in Bulembu, and let’s make sure they meet their goals of self-sustainability by 2020. And let’s show the Tenors how much we appreciate their music and their hearts.

Visit the Canadian Tenors Voices for Bulembu Facebook Fan Page to let us know if you plan on attending. If not, and you want to make a donation, visit the Bulembu reSTORE web site to make a secure online donation. Visit the fan page often for more details on purchasing the wristbands.

Corry and Canadian Tenors wearing Canadian Tenors Voices for Bulembu wristbands. Available soon for purchase.

Voices for Bulembu: The Finale

I can’t believe it. I have been back from Vancouver for a week, and my blog has been silent. Anyone who has ever met me knows that me lacking words is an unnatural phenomenon. (My husband can testify.) I am rarely without words. But somehow I am still left speechless after the Voices for Bulembu concerts and fundraising events with the Canadian Tenors in Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia.

The two concerts, presented by Teldon Media Group, were simply amazing. It goes without saying that the Tenors were stunning, as always. The weather didn’t exactly cooperate, but the crowds were gracious, and the venues were delightful. As someone who is deeply moved by the voices of Clifton, Fraser, Remigio and Victor, it was easy for my emotions to carry me to another place entirely but the floodgates were opened quite dramatically when video clips of the their recent visit to Bulembu were sprinkled throughout the concert. And I wasn’t the only one impacted. At Mission Hill Winery in Kelowna, the Tenors watched the opening video from the back of the room, and were almost thankful for some of the technical difficulties they encountered during their opening number, “Because We Believe”. As Victor explained, they hadn’t yet seen the finished product, which they found to be poignant and moving. The chance to fix the microphone problems also gave the lumps in their throats time to dissolve in order for them to “hit the high notes”.

In addition to the videos, each of the Tenors shared personal stories about their experiences with the town and the people they have come to love. Andrew le Roux, Executive Director of Bulembu Ministries, Swaziland, provided an update as to the progress that is being made in restoring this town. Here are some of the highlights:

• Raised approximately (CAD) $9 million ($7.136 million from Bulembu International) for funding and operations (to June 30, 2010)
• Secured (CAD) $2 million in initial funding to purchase the property for operations
• Executed the organizations first public fundraising campaign (Voices for Bulembu – 2009), which raised (CAD) $945,000
• Developed strategic relationships with funding bodies including the Canadian International Development Agency ($500,000), Caterpillar Foundation ($230,000), The Jim Pattison Foundation ($2.75 million), Golder Trust for Orphans (over $200,000) and many others
• Invested (CAD) $1.5 million in capital for strategic enterprises
• Established core enterprises in Bulembu (using established infrastructure and natural resources) including Bulembu Timber, Bulembu Honey, Bulembu Water, Bulembu Country Lodge, Bulembu Dairy, Bulembu Mills, and the Bulembu Store
• Total sales for these enterprises (Year End: June 30, 2010 CAD) $3 million
• Total income (enterprise contribution Year End: June 30, 2010 CAD) $278,000
• Created 320 jobs across various enterprises
• Total jobs created throughout the community – 486
• Secured monthly provision and total care for 253 orphaned and vulnerable Swazi children in over 35 rehabilitated child care homes
• Established a central dining hall with capacity for 250 children
• Established the “Welcome Center” to assist up to 80 children at a time in their transition into the child care program
• Registered over 5,300 patient visits to the Bulembu Clinic
• Opened a second school; Bulembu is currently educating over 261 full-time students in its education system
• Caring for 45 babies in the child care program
• Completed the rehabilitation of the town’s water, electrical and sewage systems
• Started the first phase of the transportation upgrade which includes paving 5 kilometers of public roads and key arteries
• Renovated over 100,000 square feet of industrial and community space
• Renovated 135 homes in the community

When the weekend was over, both Voices for Bulembu concerts (at Mission Hill Winery and the Chan Centre for Performing Arts) raised a total of (CAD) $1.25 million.

Why am I still left speechless? Because so much has happened. And so much more still needs to happen. There is still rampant disease and heartache and tremendous need. The vision to make Bulembu a self-sustaining community won’t happen overnight. But I saw something during that weekend event that has only fueled a passion that had already been burning brightly. When I shook the hand of Volker Wagner, the man behind the vision of Bulembu, I saw the world through a different set of eyes. When I listened to the Tenors sing about being “Instruments of Peace”, I heard the cry of orphans through different ears. As I watched the video presentations and shared personal memories of their journey to Bulembu with each of the Tenors, I began to see love and humanitarian service on a different level.

And my soul reminded me that the Finale really is only the beginning. I know what I must do now.

The Art of Healing: For Andrea

Those who suffer with depression know how debilitating it can be. Add anxiety into the mix, and you’ve got a concoction that can spell disaster for the person experiencing it. This was true for Andrea, who has struggled with depression intermittently since childhood. Periodic anxiety attacks have kept her from venturing out as often as she would like.

During her first year back in Canada after having lived in Minneapolis for several years, Andrea had been introduced to the music of the Canadian Tenors. A life-long music lover, she decided to see them in concert with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in January 2009. It also happened to be Clifton Murray’s first performance with the Tenors. Whatever anxieties Andrea might have initially felt disappeared while listening to what she describes as a gorgeous blend of voices that were simultaneously rich and ethereal.

In March 2010, Andrea and her husband were vacationing in Las Vegas and travelled to St. George, Utah for two Tenors concerts. The very real fear of having a panic attack in a public place is always at the forefront of her mind as it was before each of these concerts. But remembering what she felt at the last Tenors concert was all the motivation Andrea needed to keep those fears at bay. For her, their heavenly voices provided a calming diversion that gave her the feeling of almost being transported to another time and place.

Speaking to the Tenors after each of the shows lifted her spirits by seeing their warm, gracious and witty personalities. What inspires Andrea most is their humanitarian efforts.  She says their music is a reminder that there is beauty in a world that is so often troubled. In her own words: “Their voices are a divine gift, and their charitable efforts inspire and show us we can all make a difference in the world.”

The men of the Canadian Tenors are indeed gifted and committed to giving back through their philanthropic efforts, including their charity, Voices for Bulembu. Fans such as Andrea are rallying their support through the fan fundraiser known as Raise YOUR Voice for Bulembu. The Tenors will perform two Voices for Bulembu concerts on Saturday, September 18, at Mission Hill, BC and Sunday, September 19 at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts in Vancouver, BC. The money raised by the fan fundraiser will be added to the total raised from the concerts with proceeds going to the Bulembu Foundation.

The fan fundraiser dollars will be miniscule in comparison but is a token of appreciation for the inspiration and joy the Canadian Tenors have brought to so many lives all across the world. They can’t cure cancer or depression. They can’t erase painful memories or prevent future scars. But they can lift our hearts and bring us smiles in times of pain. They can give us moments of pleasure and they can make a difference in our lives and in the lives of the children of Bulembu. If they can do that for us, what can we do for them to show our gratitude?

Voices for Bulembu: The Fundraiser

I have spent the last three months of my life telling as many people as possible about the citizens of a tiny town called Bulembu. I’ve never met anyone there. I’ve never even been there. Six months ago, I didn’t even know where Bulembu was on the map. Heck, I wasn’t even sure how to pronounce it! But after hearing of the plight of the people there from the Canadian Tenors and discovering the hope they have for their future through the vision created through the Bulembu Foundation, telling their story has become one of the most important things I have ever done.

It’s a passion for me because it means more exposure for them. More exposure hopefully means opening more hearts and open hearts hopefully means providing more resources to meet the needs of a desperate situation. I keep coming back to the children, the innocent who deserve a chance at a good life. For them, I will keep on writing until they have what they need.

The Canadian Tenors have just returned from their second visit to Bulembu. And in two weeks they will give their final two Voices for Bulembu fundraising concerts for 2010. In late June, fans of the Tenors launched the Raise YOUR Voice for Bulembu campaign to support their efforts of raising funds for the charity that means so much to them. Our goal was to raise $2500 by the time they reached the stage at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on Sunday, September 19. It’s almost time!

Options to help are plentiful. Come to one of the concerts; the Chan Centre in Vancouver or consider the Legacy Weekend at Mission Hill in Okanagan Valley (September 17 – 19) in British Columbia’s wine country. Donate as little as one dollar through the secure online donation catalog or make monthly contributions. Select a category or choose from several. Mailing a check is also an option.

So many fans have reached out to me over the last several months and revealed to me how Clifton, Victor, Remigio and Fraser have touched their lives in a profound and positive way through their music. Let’s return the favor by supporting their efforts in supporting Voices for Bulembu.

Please Raise YOUR Voice for Buelmbu!

Click on the banner to make a secure online donation.

Voices for Bulembu: A Conversation with Remigio Pereira

Everyone has an outlook on life; you’re either a glass is half full or glass is half empty-type of person. After spending some time with the Canadian Tenors, I can say without pause that Remigio Pereira, Victor Micallef, Clifton Murray and Fraser Walters are glass half full people. As I have reflected on the conversations I had with the Tenors about their experiences in Bulembu (past and future), I keep coming back to two words: joy and hope.

One of the first things Remigio made clear to me in our conversation is that nothing can outweigh the strife and pain the children of Bulembu have seen in just their first two weeks of life; strife and pain that seems to never cease. Each of them made it clear that they never want to diminish the hardships and challenges these citizens face and the resulting impact on their own hearts.

“A lot of people see it on television or read about it in the paper,” explained Remigio, “but it doesn’t have the same effect as when you go there. It isn’t the same as when you’re talking with someone who is dying and his whole family and extended family has been wiped out, and you’re the only one left to carry on the name or to meet a woman who has been raped countless times or to see women who walk for miles to get medicine for themselves or their children. You think what do these people have?”

What they have – and what the Tenors made sure to stress – is hope and joy.

Remigio pointed out that, “With the right resources, with the right capital, and with loving hearts, anything can be accomplished.”

Perhaps it is the indelible spirit of the people they have met that enables the Tenors to see beyond the pain and suffering to the hope and joy that really does exist. Perhaps the citizens of Bulembu live with such hope and joy because they just don’t know any better because they haven’t yet been presented with the right resources, capital or loving hearts. But we know better. And that’s what stirs these young men to make a difference.

“I have things I want to do,” said Remigio. “It opened up new goals for me on a humanitarian level.”

He spoke of the natural talent of a group of orphans he got to meet on his first visit and how, given the opportunity, “these kids could realize a dream, that a lot can be accomplished, and the restraints of their condition don’t allow for a boundary for their dreams to come true.”

He spoke of wanting to give them the same chances that are afforded to kids in wealthier nations: dance camp, a guitar instructor, traveling beyond their own borders to experience the possibilities.

There is much work to be done if these children are to be given such opportunities. The vision of the Bulembu Foundation aims to raise up the next generation of leaders who can take this town and country to greater heights and prosperity, giving new generations the hope of a future. Perhaps the work starts at home within our own hearts, as it did for Remigio and his musical brothers.

“No matter what happens in your life, you can still find a smile in something,” Remigio reflected. “That is the biggest lesson. It could be raining and gloomy down where we are, but then you take a plane up and there’s sunshine all the time. It’s what you delete out of your life, what you don’t see is what you should actually look for.”

The 2000 orphans of Bulembu are counting on the loving hearts of people who have resources to make a difference. The Tenors will be visiting Bulembu again in August and will hold their fundraising event, Voices for Bulembu: A Legacy Weekend at Mission Hill, featuring their cornerstone concert at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts in September. (Click on the link for dates and ticket information) In the meantime, please consider donating on behalf of the Canadian Tenors by visiting the Bulembu reSTORE donation catalog. (Clicking on the banner below will take you directly to the Bulembu secure online donation catalog.)

Voices for Bulembu: A Conversation with Clifton Murray

Whoever is at the wheel is at full throttle, but it appears the Canadian Tenors don’t mind the speed at which they’re traveling. And the direction they’re heading is up: up the record and popularity charts. With the whirlwind of activities they’ve recently experienced, they might simply be running on adrenaline. But they are focused if they are anything. And one focus for them continues to be their work supporting the Bulembu Foundation through their own Voices for Bulembu (VFB).

The Tenors will return to the tiny town in Swaziland in August; their second trip in as many years. They will check on progress being made in the ongoing efforts to return this town into one of prosperity through self-sufficiency. Their last trip showed them the devastation of a place ravaged by AIDS and a dwindling population thanks to a lack of reasonable employment. The Tenors committed to helping the people of Bulembu through VFB, their inaugural fundraising concert, in 2009. Their efforts raised $1 million.

I recently sat down with all four Tenors to talk about their previous trip and what they’re expecting on their upcoming visit. I’ll share the thoughts of each of the guys in the coming days through blog posts like this one. Today we’ll hear from Clifton Murray.

Clifton will be making his first trip to Bulembu as he was not yet part of the group when they last visited there. But he’s heard plenty of stories and has seen video and photos of their trip. He admitted he’s incredibly excited about going.

“I’m looking forward to the emotional impact and having a visceral connection with what’s going on over there,” he said. “I’m looking forward to caring that much more about the project.”

Going there without any reservations, Clifton said he hopes to gain a deeper understanding of what can be done to help, and he’s certain he’ll leave with renewed energy and focus.

“It’s a gift to be able to go there and see what’s going on,” he continued. “It really is a gift to have that affect us, and inspire us to go back, spread the word and raise money to help people in this part of the world who desperately need our help.”

Before ever stepping foot on an airplane, Clifton knows the emotional rollercoaster ride he’ll encounter while he’s there. But fellow Tenor, Victor Micalleff, says that there was never any hesitation on Clifton’s part when he first joined the group and learned of their supporting role with the Bulembu Foundation.

“He immediately saw the opportunity there,” noted Victor. “It’s just become a common goal for all of us, and he’s so excited about the possibilities.”

The Canadian Tenors are currently preparing to host their next cornerstone fundraising concert event, Voices for Bulembu: A Legacy Weekend at Mission Hill, which takes place September 17 – 19 in Vancouver.

Fans of the Canadian Tenors can add to the final tally by making donations on behalf of Raise YOUR Voice for Bulembu, a fan-organized and sponsored fundraising campaign. Click on the banner below learn more and make your donation.

Check back on Wednesday, July 7 when we’ll have a conversation with Victor Micallef.

Fans Launch Fundraising Campaign to Support the Canadian Tenors Voices for Bulembu

In between the whirlwind of activity including a cross-country tour promoting their new PBS concert special recently released on DVD, preparing for the next leg of a tour with David Foster and Friends, fall tour dates, private engagements and even presenting before world leaders at this weekend’s G-20 Summit in their home country, the Canadian Tenors continue their philanthropic efforts.

Clifton will join Victor, Remigio and Fraser when they return to Bulembu, the town that has touched their hearts and given them a purpose on a humanitarian level. The trip will take place in August, just before their annual concert, Voices for Bulembu, which raises funds to support their mission of giving hope and restoring this once vibrant community to self-sufficiency after the town’s main employer of 60 years shuttered its doors, leaving thousands devastated. The town’s plight worsened with a negative population growth rate due to the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world.

In partnership with a team of entrepreneurs and social developers and an organization called Bulembu Foundation, the Tenors are working toward a common goal: To help this tiny town in Swaziland reach sustainability by providing total care for 2,000 orphans and fostering the development of a new generation of emerging leaders, provide its 7,000 residents safe access to quality work and essential social services as well as access to education and health services by the year 2020.

Knowing the passion the Tenors have for this project, Canadian Tenors fans from across the globe have united to support the upcoming Voices for Bulembu campaign with a fundraising initiative called Raise YOUR Voice for Bulembu. The initiative begins June 25 and ends when the Canadian Tenors host their fundraising event, Voices for Bulembu: A Legacy Weekend at Mission Hill, which takes place September 17 – 19^th, and culminates in a spectacular concert at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts in Vancouver on September 19.

Organizers of Raise YOUR Voice for Bulembu, Theresia Whitfield and Debora Hoeksema, are challenging Tenors fans from across the globe to help raise $2,500 (USD) by the time the Tenors take the stage on September 19. To ensure safety and that all funds raised are distributed appropriately; Raise YOUR Voice for Bulembu organizers have partnered with Bulembu Foundation. Fans can visit www.bulembu.org to learn more about the town, the crisis and the vision.

Secure donations can be made by visiting Bulembu reSTORE, an online donation catalogue that people can use to give a gift to the Bulembu community.  Simply click on the banner for a link to the store and determine at which level you wish to donate.

Donation categories include: orphan care, enterprise, school, home, environment and general funds. Donations can be made for as little as $1.00 (USD), as a one-time gift or a monthly commitment.

When finalizing your online donation, please indicate that you are part of the Canadian Tenors Fans Raise YOUR Voice for Bulembu campaign.

For regular updates on this fan fundraising initiative, visit www.canadiantenorsfans.com. You can also learn new information on the Canadian Tenors Voices for Bulembu Facebook Fan page. Become a fan and then tell all your friends. You can also sign up to receive blog updates about the campaign and to hear directly what the Tenors will be doing while they are in Bulembu.

Let’s rally around the Canadian Tenors and show them they have the best fans with the biggest hearts in the world. Won’t you Raise YOUR Voice for Bulembu?

NOTE: Contact Theresia Whitfield or Debora Hoeksema at canadiantenorsfans@gmail.com with questions.